Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Extra-aggressive form of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis identified

Extra-aggressive form of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis identified

May 30, 2007

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disorder from which most patients die within 5 years after diagnosis. The disease is characterized by the insidious onset of dyspnea or cough and usually evolves slowly.

Now, Selman and coworkers present in an article published in the online, open-access journal PLoS ONE on Wednesday 30th May, strong evidence indicating that a subset of IPF patients has a short duration of symptoms before diagnosis and display an accelerated clinical course to end-stage disease. The authors postulate that these "rapid progressor" patients, predominantly smoking males, represent a distinct clinical phenotype compared with the usual "slow progressors" patients.




"These findings highlight the variability in the progression and outcome of IPF, and may explain, in part, the difficulty in obtaining significant and reproducible results in studies of therapeutic interventions in patients with IPF," said Dr Selman, who is the Director of Research at the National Institute of Respiratory Research in Mexico City and the lead author on this publication. "They also suggest that physicians should pay more attention to the time of onset of symptoms, and to look for other signs that allow the identification of these rapid progressor patients".

In this study the authors performed global gene expression analysis and other molecular studies in a subset of patients and identified a number of genes that were differentially expressed in both groups, suggesting that rapid progressors are biologically distinct from slow progressors.

"While preliminary, these results may allow investigators to identify biomarkers of disease progression," said Dr King, who is the Chief of Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital and an internationally renowned expert in research and management of pulmonary fibrosis.

The senior author on this paper, Dr Naftali Kaminski, who is the Director of the Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease at the University of Pittsburgh, added that this research highlighted the need to collect as much information on patients with IPF as possible. "We are only now starting to really understand the disease and characterize it," he said, "therefore, it is critical for patients with the disease to be seen in centers that are actively involved in IPF research."

Better identification and understanding of these differences may provide insights into the pathogenesis of IPF and assist in the development of therapeutic interventions for this devastating lung disease.

Public Library of Science



Related Pulmonary Fibrosis Current Events and Pulmonary Fibrosis News Articles Pulmonary Fibrosis Current Events and Pulmonary Fibrosis News RSS Pulmonary Fibrosis Current Events and Pulmonary Fibrosis News RSS
Common weed could provide clues on aging and cancer
A common weed and human cancer cells could provide some very uncommon details about DNA structure and its relationship with telomeres and how they affect cellular aging and cancer, according to a team led by scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of Cincinnati (UC).

New data: Hospital imaging centers poised to pull back, hitting patients hardest in rural areas
Survivors and patients with cancers and heart disease, along with patient advocate organizations and physicians, today urged policymakers to enhance early diagnosis of deadly diseases by preserving access to advanced imaging, such as MRI and CT scans, in final health care reform legislation.

Pitt team first to profile genes in acutely ill idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients
The first findings from a one-of-a-kind, patient-driven effort to provide lung tissue for research might help doctors predict when patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are becoming dangerously ill and also could point the way to interventions that could sustain them until life-saving transplants can be performed.

Protein may be strongest indicator of rare lung disease, study shows
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have discovered a protein in the lungs that can help in determining progression of the rare lung disease Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Large clinical trial finds pirfenidone may help lung function in IPF patients
A large, well-controlled, multi-national clinical trial program has demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of what may become the first FDA-approved medicine for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF.

UT Southwestern researchers identify gene linked to inherited form of fatal lung disease
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have determined that a mutation in a gene known for its role in defending the lungs against invading pathogens is responsible for some inherited cases of a lethal lung disease affecting older adults. The same mutation may also be associated with lung cancer, the researchers said.

Double threat: Deadly lung disease also linked to heart attacks
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are three times as likely to experience severe coronary events-including heart attacks-than people without the disease.

Note to people with scarred and stiffened lungs: Monitor your sleep before severe fatigue sets in
Family, friends and neighbors remember Lisa Sandler Spaeth as an active mother of two in Potomac, Md., with a lot on the go, juggling her son's baseball games and her daughter's horseback-riding lessons with numerous committee obligations, organizing women's activities at her local synagogue.

Biomarkers identified for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
The first evidence of a distinctive protein signature that could help to transform the diagnosis and improve the monitoring of the devastating lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is being reported by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers in this month's edition of PLoS Medicine, an open-access journal of the Public Library of Science.

UCSF marks a milestone with 500th transplant in heart and lung program
UCSF marked a milestone this week with the 500th procedure in its Thoracic Transplant Program, which specializes in transplantation of the heart and lung.
More Pulmonary Fibrosis Current Events and Pulmonary Fibrosis News Articles
The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
by James N. Parker (Author)

This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (also alveolocapillary block; cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis; diffuse fibrosing alveolitis; fibrosing alveolitis; Hamman-Rich syndrome; idiopathic diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis), from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various...

Understanding Lung Disease: Pulmonary Fibrosis (Home Use)

Understanding Lung Disease: Pulmonary Fibrosis (Home Use)

Part of the award winning public television series Healthy Body/Healthy Mind. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a set of diseases that cause progressive scarring inside the lungs. Over time the lungs are slowly replaced with scar tissue, which causes airways to restrict airflow, making it difficult to breath and to get enough oxygen. Doctors, patients and researchers are hoping clinical trials will lead to a drug that prevents lung function from worsening ultimately allowing patients to live longer.

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.



Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad

Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad
by MyHeritageWear.com

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Ribbon proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Pulmonary Fibrosis Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness!

Thorwald / Pulmonary Fibrosis [Explicit]

Thorwald / Pulmonary Fibrosis [Explicit]
Thorwald / Pulmonary Fibrosis (Primary Contributor)



Understanding Lung Disease: Pulmonary Fibrosis

Understanding Lung Disease: Pulmonary Fibrosis
Directed By: (c) Information Television Network



Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Medical Guide

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Medical Guide
by Qontro Medical Guides (Author)

The Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Medical Guide is a publication which has been designed to better help readers understand Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. This Qontro Medical Guide has been designed with the reader in mind, and is a useful information source for readers at all levels looking to learn more about Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. The Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Medical Guide is highly recommended for those interested in understanding and learning more about Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Advances in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Advances in Pulmonary Fibrosis
by John Simpson (Author), Ann Millar (Author)

Recent years have seen renewed interest in diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs), which were formerly referred to as interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). This is reflected in the publication of many important and groundbreaking papers in this field. Knowledge, and easy access to it, is the key to understanding pulmonary fibrosis. Providing reviews of the published medical literature of the past year, Advances in Pulmonary Fibrosis summarizes some of the most important new developments in the field.

The book has been carefully designed so that key messages can be extracted by reading only the Background and Interpretations sections of each chapter. Providing more detailed information, the Comment sections generally start with an outline of the methods used, followed by a more...

Chronic Respiratory Disorders (118) CD-ROM

Chronic Respiratory Disorders (118) CD-ROM
by Concept Media, a division of Jobson Medical Information LLC

5 CD series including these programs: [118.1] Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; [118.2] Cystic Fibrosis;

Compres Of Pulmonary Parenchyma [Explicit]

Compres Of Pulmonary Parenchyma [Explicit]
Thorwald / Pulmonary Fibrosis (Primary Contributor)



  Understanding Lung Disease: Pulmonary Fibrosis
Starring: Information Television Network



© 2009 BrightSurf.com